ISL 2025-26: Zeljković, Rahul KP lead charge in Team of the Week for Matchweek 6

Mumbai City lead the standings of ISL 2025-26 table.

The sixth match week of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 was full of goals and drama, with 25 goals scored in seven games, an average of more than 3.5 goals per game. East Bengal were the leading scorers with seven goals in their hammering of Mohammedan SC.

Sporting Club Delhi and Jamshedpur FC began the week with a 1-1 draw on a rainy night in Delhi. Odisha FC recorded their first win of the season in the second encounter of the week, defeating Juan Pedro Benali’s NorthEast United 4-1. Later the same day, Mumbai City upset Mohun Bagan SG 1-0 in Salt Lake, handing the Mariners their first defeat of the season.

Kerala Blasters’ terrible start to the season continued as they lost 3-1 against Punjab FC, their fifth loss in six games this season. On Sunday, Chennaiyin FC played an exciting 1-1 draw against FC Goa in the early kick-off, while Bengaluru FC defeated Inter Kashi by three goals to one in the second encounter.

East Bengal FC concluded the game week with a bang, defeating local rivals Mohammedan SC 7-0. Mumbai City is now the new leader with 14 points after six games, while Mohammedan SC remains at the bottom of the table with 0 points, fighting to stay in the ISL.

From Valpuia’s presence in Mumbai City’s encounter after receiving a red card in the previous game to David Catala walking on thin ice against the Blasters, the gameweek six of the 2025/26 ISL was been filled with drama both on and off the field.

Here are 11 players that caught our eyes and made it onto our ISL 2025-26 team of the week for MW 6.

Formation (4-2-3-1)

GK: Vishal Kaith

Even though Mohun Bagan SG lost 1-0 at home to Mumbai City FC, Sergio Lobera would be grateful to Vishal Kaith for the scoreline. Mumbai City were all over the Mariners’ defense in the first half, and they had a couple of wonderful chances, but Vishal Kaith stood firm in goal.

His one-on-one stop against Chhangte, as well as the great reflexive double save against Chhangte and Ortiz, kept Mohun Bagan SG in the game, but the hosts were unable to produce an equalizer and salvage a point.

LB: Anwar Ali

Although Anwar Ali had nothing to do defensively against an all-Indian young Mohammedan SC team, the Indian international made his mark in attack. He scored twice and assisted in his team’s 7-0 victory over Mohammedan SC.

His first goal was a long-range strike that Padam Chhetri completely misread in the goal, resulting in a howler.

Anwar scored his second goal of the match with a superb left-footed strike from Mahesh’s corner. He also assisted for Nandha’s first and East Bengal’s seventh goal of the night.

CB: Eduardo Kau

With Ali Bemammer injured, Clifford Miranda made a tactical change, moving Elsinho to midfield and giving Eduardo Kau his first ISL start for Chennaiyin FC.

Against Brison and Drazic, the Brazilian defender defended effectively at the back, making three crucial blocks, three clearances, and four recoveries.

The sole goal allowed by the Marina Machans came when Eduardo Kau was replaced due to cramps, with his replacement Dinpuia losing his man Jhingan, who scored to tie the game. If Kau had played the entire game, Chennaiyin FC may have won all three points.

CB: Sandesh Jhingan

Sandesh Jhingan demonstrated yet again against Chennaiyin FC why he is one of ISL’s best centre-backs. The FC Goa defense was repeatedly called into action in the first half, as Chennaiyin dominated the possession and generated numerous chances.

However, Pol Moreno and Jhingan stood firm at the back.

Jhingan used his physical strength to cope effectively with both Chima and Irfan Yadwad. He won all of his duels against Chennaiyin’s forwards, producing a couple of vital interceptions and blocks. He scored late in the second half from a corner to give the Gaurs a point, keeping the club’s unbeaten ISL 2025-26 run going.

RB: Lamgoulen Hangshing

Lamgoulen Hangshing, also known as Len Gogou, the captain of Sporting Club Delhi, nearly guided his team to their first ISL victory with a great defensive performance against Jamshedpur FC, but Nikola Stojanovic’s late equalizer dashed their hopes.

Gogou was on top of his defensive game against Sanan, winning 100% of his tackles. He also made six crucial clearances, all of which came inside the box, denying Jamshedpur’s opportunities to score.

Gogou also won 7 ground duels and performed 26 consecutive defensive acts, showcasing his performance with statistics.

CM: Samir Zeljković

While everyone expected Samir Zeljkovic to play more defensively behind Spanish midfielder Dani Ramirez, Panagiotis Dilmperis surprised by allowing Zeljkovic greater leeway in the attack. The Bosnian midfielder posed a persistent danger to the Blasters defense with his late runs from midfield.

Zeljkovic opened the goal with a fantastic run to take the ball away from the keeper and send it in from a close angle.

He assisted the second goal with a fantastic through pass to Osuji. He was also on the verge of scoring a second, but Arsh made an excellent stop.

Defensively, Sami Zeljkovic won the ball frequently in the midfield, making 9 recoveries, winning 3 duels, and making three clearances.

CM: Miguel Figueira

Despite East Bengal scoring seven goals against Mohammadan SC, Miguel Figueira was unexpectedly missing on the score sheet. However, this does not imply the Brazilian midfielder had a horrible game; he continued his fine form and was involved in three of the seven goals and created eight opportunities on his own.

Miguel earned two penalties and assisted on Vishnu PV’s goal from a corner kick. He was continuously seeking to move the ball forward, with more than 90% of his passes made in the opposing half. He also won 8 ground duels and recovered 5 balls, regaining possession and initiating attacks.

LW: Noufal

Noufal appears to be in excellent form this season, as the teenage winger from Kerala has scored in three straight ISL games after failing to score at all last season. His goal was the difference between Mohun Bagan SG and Mumbai City at the Salt Lake Stadium.

The goal was a superbly orchestrated play by Mumbai City, with Joni Kauko assisting Noufal, whose first-time right-footed low curling strike left Vishal Kaith with little chance.

Noufal’s work rate was remarkable as he assisted his full-back Akash Mishra in halting Liston and Abhishek, with seven recoveries.

CAM: Braian Sanchez

With Ryan Williams injured in the warm-up before the game, the onus was on Argentine midfielder Braian Sanchez to stand up in terms of creating opportunities and scoring goals.

And that is precisely what Braian accomplished against Inter Kashi, creating four opportunities and scoring two crucial goals to earn all three points for the Blues.

His first goal was a gift from the opposition’s goalkeeper, Lluis Tarres, who fumbled from a free-kick situation, pushing the ball right to Sanchez, who headed it into the net.

The second goal again was a gift from the keeper, who played a poor pass that fell to Sanchez, who made no mistake in shooting into an open goal from a great distance.

RW: Rahul KP

Odisha FC won their first game of the ISL 2025-26 season against Highlanders, and Rahul KP scored two goals to help them do so. Rahul put the Juggernauts ahead early in the first half owing to a blunder by Gurmeet Singh. When Subham gave Odisha the lead, they were pushed back and had to counterattack.

Rahul’s speed behind the NorthEast defense in these scenarios posed a continual danger to Purushothaman’s team. His second goal came on a counterattack from the back, giving the Juggernauts a two-goal advantage and securing all three points. He was also engaged in the sending-off of Mayakannan, which gave Odisha a numerical edge.

ST: Rahim Ali

It’s great to see Rahim Ali back in his natural striker position after being forced to play right-back for most of last season. Rahim continues to reward Purushothaman’s trust with his on-field performances. Last week, he scored Odisha’s lone goal against Mohun Bagan SG.

And this week against NorthEast, Rahim Ali was involved in three of the four goals. His strong press caused Gurmeet to make a mistake, resulting in Odisha’s first of the night.

He also assisted on the second goal, making a wonderful run to the near post and flicking it to Subham, who kicked it into the net.

For the fourth goal, his lose touch fell to Isak Ralte, whose deflected shot went into the back of the net.

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